March 21, 2014

What was in the news on March 20, 1964?

President Johnson’s anti-poverty drive, and novices, priests and brothers assist flood victims in southern Indiana

Criterion logo from the 1960sBy Brandon A. Evans

This week, we continue to examine what was going on in the Church and the world 50 years ago as seen through the pages of The Criterion.

Here are some of the items found in the March 20, 1964, issue of The Criterion:

  • Anti-poverty drive to use public and private agencies
    • “WASHINGTON—President [Lyndon B.] Johnson’s marching orders for his war on poverty would combine the resources of public and private agencies in the attack. Joint efforts by public and private groups, assisted by the federal government, are central to his major proposals—aiding unemployed youths and school dropouts between 16 and 23 years of age. The President asked Congress [on March 16] for ‘immediate action’ on his election-year program with its emphasis on help for young Americans who lack skills, who have not completed their education and who cannot complete it because they are too poor. Poverty, he said in his message, cannot be conquered by government alone. ‘For decades, American labor and American business, private institutions and private individuals have been engaged in strengthening our economy and offering new opportunity to those in need. We need their help, their support and their full participation,’ he said.”
  • Poverty in Indianapolis: ‘Homeless’ children sleep under porches
  • Community spirit: Novices help town in flood peril
    • “AURORA, Ind.—‘They advanced the cause of ecumenism at least 10 years.’ This was the reaction of Father John Lynch, pastor of St. Mary’s Church, to the service rendered by 22 young students from the Glenmary Novitiate during last week’s flood crisis in this southern Indiana community. The novices and the staff of two priests and two brothers at the institution were responsible for saving thousands of dollars worth of stock and equipment as the rising waters rolled into the downtown area.”
  • Palm rite will open Holy Week
  • Wearin’ of the Green: ‘Twas great day for Irish and a few hundred others
  • ‘Acies’ set this Sunday
  • Regional heads include superior at St. Agnes
  • St. Rita’s slates Holy Week Revival
  • Laymen and the council: Needed: greater lay involvement in Church
  • Disagreement voiced over shared-time plan
  • ND will observe birth of Galileo
  • Mixed-marriage pledges obsolete, bishop states
  • NCWC official seminary speaker
  • Rex Mundi makes Final Four
  • Progress Fair set Sunday at Scecina High School
  • 200 priests attend Funeral Mass for Rev. Ralph Doyle
  • Osma Spurlock to address group
  • Pontiff urges Family Rosary
  • Present pontiff defends memory of Pope Pius XII
  • Catholic High ex-chaplain dies

(Read all of these stories from our March 20, 1964, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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